True Detective Season 2: 5 Awesome Moments (And 5 That Sucked)

If season two has proven anything, it's that Cary Fukunaga was the undisputed MVP of season one. The director, who helmed all eight episodes of the show's first run, brought a coherent, distinct style to True Detective, matching Pizzolatto's vision with directorial clarity and efficient, exciting storytelling. 

For whatever reason, Fukunaga did not return this time around (there were strong rumours of a rift between he and Pizzolatto), and the directing duties were instead spread among different directors. First it was Justin Lin (of Fast and Furious fame) who took control, directing the first two episodes. Lin was then followed, respectively, by Janus Metz, Jeremy Podeswa, John W. Crowley, Miguel Sapochnik, Daniel Attias and John Crowley again.

This ensured that season two lacked a singular vision (other than Pizzolatto's) and, as plot-lines tangled and styles changed, the show was found lacking elsewhere, too. There is, for instance, nothing in season two quite as spectacular as the shot of Rust sailing off on the boat with the bikers, about to embark up the river like Captain Willard in pursuit of his Kurtz. These little touches, undoubtedly Fukunaga's, are missing from season two, and the show is far worse off for it.